The All India Federation of University and College Teachers' Organisations (AIFUCTO) has demanded action against a MLA who allegedly abused and manhandled the Vice-Chancellor of Anna University-Tirunelveli in his chamber a few days ago.
Condemning the incident, its president A. James William, has urged the State Government to arrest the MLA and take legal action on the ‘hooligans' who were involved in the incident. “This incident exposes the serious erosion of universities' autonomy and the politicisation of academic institutions,” he said in a press statement.
The attack by the MLA was alleged to be a signal to get his men appointed to various posts in the university. “This shows how academic bodies were being misused for personal ends. It also raises the issue of nominating politicians of little academic standing to academic and administrative bodies of universities,” he said. Prof. William also questioned the academic expertise the MLA possesses to become a member of the university Syndicate.
“Such nominations mar the decorum of academic institutions and would spoil the academic environment of universities. The Chancellor must remove the MLA from the membership of the Syndicate and initiate a thorough probe in to the Tirunelveli incident so that such incidents do not recur,” he said.
